A collection of books that Maya Angelou wrote and autographed were recently gifted to the Hazelwood School District.

The items have an appraised value of more than $26,000.

Robert Swingler, choral director at Hazelwood East High School, donated 32 of Angelou’s books from his personal collection. The books are first trade edition copies. The book's publishing dates range from 1969 to 2007.

Titles include “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” “I Shall Not Be Moved,” “And Still I Rise,” “Collected Autobiographies of Maya Angelou,” and “On The Pulse of Morning.”

Swingler said one interaction with Angelou last year put it in his heart to donate the books.

“I decided to donate the books last fall after seeing Dr. Angelou at the Touhill Performing Arts Center," Swingler said. "I sat in the front row, not 10-feet from where she spoke to the audience.

"Dr. Angelou was gracious in her acceptance of our accolades, and immediately, she burst into song, ‘Well, it looked like the sun wouldn’t shine anymore. God put a rainbow in the cloud.’ I thought ‘Wow, what a message."